TypeCon 2026
Revolution Hall, Portland, Oregon
August 6-8, 2026
Since its debut in 1998, TypeCon has been a premier platform for exploring the diverse world of typography. Our annual conference brings together industry leaders, design professionals, educators, students, and enthusiasts from around the world to learn, network, and share their passion for type. From the latest trends in type for the screen to the rich history of printing, experimental typography, education, and much more.
TypeCon is an annual conference presented by the non-profit Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA), an international organization dedicated to promoting, studying, and supporting typography and related arts.
Since the inaugural conference in 1998, TypeCon has explored type for the screen, printing history, Dutch design, type in motion, Arabic calligraphy, the American Arts and Crafts movement, experimental typography, web fonts, and much more. Special events include the Type & Design Education Forum and an international exhibition on type and design.
Event Schedule
Wednesday, August 5
Pre-conference Meet & Greet and TDC Exhibition
Type Directors Club exhibition: 1:00p–8:00p
Reception: 6:30–8:00p, with opening remarks at 7:00p
426 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR
Thursday, August 6
Type & Design Education Forum
- Opening Remarks
- Presentations
- Q & A
- Education Forum Closing Reception (Ed Forum attendees only)
- FutureFonts & Friends TypeCon Party
Friday, August 7
Main Program Day 1
- Keynote
- Presentations
- Q & A
- Workshop
- SOTA Spacebar Party
Saturday, August 8
Main Program Day 2
- Presentations
- Q & A
- Type Crit
- TypeCon Farewell Party
Thursday, August 6
Type & Design Education Forum
Process and Experimentation
11:35a–11:55a | Typography with Time: Education for First-Year Students Fostering Critical Thinking
by Albert Choi
Typography with Time: Education for First-Year Students Fostering Critical Thinking
Abstract:
Typography is more than arranging letters — it’s a tool for expressing ideas, emotions, and the passage of time. In today’s visual communication, introducing typography early in the design curriculum is transformative. In 2023, I wrote “Basic Principles of Visual Communication” for first-year students, featuring innovative typographic exercises. Embedding these challenges in the foundational 2D design course helps students not only learn the rules but also break them thoughtfully, guided by the idea that “visual appropriateness enhances knowledge, and visual ambiguity promotes critical thinking.”
Through hands-on projects, students shape visual communication with creativity and purpose. The final chapter, “Concept of Time,” explores the interaction between time and visual expression. Time cannot be changed, but in design, it is endlessly expressive — capturing fleeting moments or gradual change. The three key exercises — “Matter and Time,” “Nature and Time,” and “Energy and Time” — encourage students to experiment with materials and typography, pushing design boundaries and deepening critical thinking.
Visit SNS: Instagram
More about the event
